Tag Archives: Darwin Northern Territory

2012 The year of ups and downs

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It’s the end of 2012 and I’m on the Gold Coast with my daughters.

If any regular WordPress.com users know how to export site statistics so they can be published and uploaded to a blog I’d appreciate knowing. I’ve resorted to screen shots here. I’ve selected visits for the year, country of origin and most popular posts. The one post I’m most happy with is the post I wrote for the tenth anniversary of the Bali Bombings in October. The URL is http://garydavidlum.com/2012/10/12/the-2002-bali-bombings-my-experience-and-my-memories/
That post as well as the one titled A weekend in Darwin http://garydavidlum.com/2012/10/07/a-weekend-in-darwin/ were the most emotional pieces of writing I’ve done. I shed many tears around the time as well as belly laughs with friends who were around Darwin and Canberra in October 2002.

Visits this year Countries since February Best posts

I can’t really nominate a highlight for a food based post. Almost all of the entries in this blog are about food (I’m happy for people to tell me their favourite post). More lately there has been a certain monotony and in some ways that comes from the new “style” I’m using based on images uploaded to Instagram (IG). I find this a convenient method but it seems a little programmatic. For readers who use IG, if you’re happy with the quality of your image on IG, this is the quickest way to post on the blog. You also get the benefit that by clicking on the image all the likes and comments on the IG site become available to everyone. It used to take me ages to upload a series of images. I’m also using Notepad for Mac to write my text out in advance. It’s a simple txt based app with nothing fancy so it’s quick and reliable.

I know that I want to upgrade soon to an iPhone 5 for the improved camera and low light capability it has. Many posts have images captured with my iPad and those images are superior to the iPhone images. A good number of images from my apartment are captured with my Nikon D90 DSLR. Even the Instagram images are often from the Nikon D90. There is many a time when in a nice restaurant I have been heard to say, I don’t like the lighting because it won’t let me capture a good image. For me the dining experience has expanded beyond the enjoyment of the food and the company at the time to the technical aspects of capturing an image and then writing a review albeit in fairly loose terms on this blog. I’ve considered from time to time the notion of taking a more structured format to reviewing restaurants and eating houses, but that just isn’t me. I have no intention of monetising this blog and I never see myself as a writer so the need to take a more structured approach seems pointless. That said, if I received sufficient feedback to suggest a better way of writing, I’m always happy to receive criticism.

This year my work has been mostly interesting. While I can’t really say much about what I do, I have written about a recent change in position http://garydavidlum.com/2012/12/01/change-in-jobs/ and this year I have described some of my travel. This year I’ve travelled to Washington DC, Fort Detrick, Ottawa and Leesburg. Each time I’ve flown with United Airlines and I’ve blogged about the food and exciting experiences.

In June I also took a short holiday with two of my daughters to Daydream Island http://garydavidlum.com/2012/07/11/the-long-awaited-daydream-island-blog-post/ This was a reasonably popular post. I had so much fun snorkelling with my kids.

The site statistics also reveal that some topics are very popular like congee (jook) and wonton as well as belly pork.
http://garydavidlum.com/2011/07/03/comfort-food%E2%80%94jook-congee/
http://garydavidlum.com/2010/10/24/my-mums-wonton-recipe/
http://garydavidlum.com/2012/02/04/succulent-slow-roasted-pork-belly-with-crispy-crackling/

I’m hoping to dedicate more of 2013 to reviews of television programs and movies plus other places I may visit. While I may not travel as much as this year, I hope wherever I go, especially domestically in Australia to be able to describe something of my travel, especially the food enjoyed (or not as the case may be).

This year also saw me find and lose a GP. I’ve also had some investigations into my health with a range of diagnostic imagery and combined nuclear medicine scans and clinical examination. The outcome has been a greater concern on my part for my sleep, exercise and nutrition. I’m still evaluating how I feel about CPAP. I’m spending more time exercising and I hope everyone has noticed lately a greater emphasis on salads.

This has been another cold dry year in Canberra and my dry skin has suffered significantly. I will always say, I love the people of Canberra, I love the way Canberra is set out and its smallness and the fact it is a country-capital. I love every day I see kangaroos and some days I can see echidnas and wombats. There is never really bad traffic. The people are friendly and there are plenty of things to do, places to see and restaurants to eat in. The thing that I dislike about Canberra and the thing that will eventually see me leave is the weather. I can handle the cold, what I cannot stand is the dryness. Everyday I’m in pain from dry cracked skin. Whenever I get a chance to visit Brisbane or Darwin I feel better. As soon as the doors open on an aeroplane in Darwin I feel like a new man. I have a very good job, I have very good and understanding bosses, I work with really good people, many of whom I count as friends and my job gives me contacts with like minded colleagues around Australia and internationally. I’ll stay until I can’t stand the weather anymore.

There are a few elephants in the room that regular readers may ask about. They’re elephants and they’re in a room. They don’t like being talked about and they won’t be talked about.

I hope everyone who reads this post and this blog has had a good 2012. I hope that everyone has a bigger and better 2013. I hope to get more balance in my life to read more blogs and write more in my blog. I want to take some cooking lessons. I’m thinking of taking some photography lessons. I know I need to better balance my work and life. I need to better handle my interests in social media, especially twitter. My aim is to reduce my addiction to twitter, foursquare, getglue and Facebook.

Finally a shout out to some WordPress blogging friends who make my blogging experience so worthwhile.

Barb the salmon fishing queen Life in the Foothills http://salmonfishingqueen.wordpress.com/
Judy the amazing from petit4chocolatier http://petit4chocolatier.wordpress.com/
Mouse who I think is a distant relative judging by the food from live2eateat2eatblog http://l2ee2l.wordpress.com/
Stan or whatever his name is, he’s a Pom (said affectionately) from Happiness Stan Lives Here who I think was meant to be my brother http://happinessstanlives.com/

Catch you in 2013.

Gaz

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Back in Canberra

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I got back to Canberra last night after a weekend in Darwin. After a sleep in I went for a walk and then to lunch with Bron.

Click on the images for high resolution versions.

On my walk I said hello to Mr Owl

On my walk I went past Weber’s circus

For lunch Bron and I went to Ricardo’s Cafe.

I had a really nice caramel thick shake. Sadly it didn’t agree with my IBS.

I had a Wagyu cheese burger. Sadly a part of an upper left molar broke off while eating it. The burger was delicious.

After the burger I had a pineapple. This was made with meringue and pineapple marshmallow.

This is the inside of the pineapple.

For dinner I had a light meal of salmon.

Salmon with mashed potato made with blue cheese plus asparagus and broccolini.

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A weekend in Darwin

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A weekend in Darwin

I travelled to Darwin on Wednesday for meetings on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. On Wednesday afternoon when I arrived I was interviewed by the Australian Broadcasting Commission’s (ABC) Mick Coggan on my memories from ten years ago and what has happened in my career since then. This Friday, 12 October, we will remember the people killed and the people injured after terrorists detonated bombs in Bali. I hope on Friday I will blog about my memories from 10 years ago.

The interview was aired on television and radio over the Thursday and Friday morning. I also did a live radio interview with Pete Davies from Darwin Mix 104.9 radio station.

I’ve not seen nor listened to any of the recordings. I’ve been told by work mates, my parents and friends on Twitter that I came across okay.

On the Thursday I co-chaired a national governments meeting which went well. It was held at the Royal Darwin Hospital. My old hospital from 1996 to 2007. Whenever I visit the RDH I soak in the atmosphere and the changes. I love that hospital.

I was also in Darwin for the War and Disaster 2012 conference. The meeting consisted of a dinner on Thursday night, a clinical teaching symposium on Friday and a clinical conference on Saturday. On the Saturday afternoon a public forum had also been planned. I attended all the functions.

On the Wednesday evening however, I took my work colleagues to the Hanuman restaurant in Mitchell Street. This is a famous restaurant in Darwin known for its fusion of Thai, Indian and Chinese cuisines. Its signature dish is the Hanuman oysters. I suggested we enjoy the oysters, Pandang chicken, red curry duck, a whole fish and some Chinese pork belly. My colleagues and I really enjoyed the meal. The lighting in the restaurant is not conducive to photography with an iPhone so I have not posted any high quality images here (just a poor image of the oysters and the fish). The oysters are always good. They are done in a multi-welled terracotta dish with little terracotta lids over each well. The oysters are steamed in lime, lemon grass and coriander. If you ever venture to Darwin and dine at the Hanuman I will always recommend the Hanuman oysters.

Hanuman oysters

This was the fish after we had finished. Yes I ate the eyes. I did it discretely to not upset my work mates.

The Thursday dinner was held in the Darwin Convention Centre (if you use iOS6 Apple maps will send you to the wrong place) in the Darwin Waterfront Precinct. We enjoyed speeches by the new Chief Minister, Mr Terry Mills and former Prime Minister, Mr John Howard, OM AC. We were entertained by Kamahl. My friend Robyn Cahill also sang. Previously at a RDH review Robyn coaxed me and some other senior clinicians onto a stage to do YMCA. Unfortunately photographs recently surfaced. I will not be posting them here. If you’re curious I was the Native American.

The dinner itself was very good. We enjoyed a mixed cold entrée of salmon, chicken and beef. For a main meal I was fortunate enough to enjoy an incredibly well cooked rib eye fillet steak. Dessert was a mix of small and light pastries which were delightful. By the end I was hanging out for a cup of tea.

On Friday the clinical symposium was held at the RDH in the auditorium. I hadn’t been in there for years. I had forgotten the place had virtually no 3G signal. I was without communication with the office which wasn’t good. The symposium itself was excellent. I learnt so much. It was good to be immersed in a clinical milieu. I felt at home not only because I was in Darwin at RDH but because I was sitting amongst clinicians. I understood what was being put up on the screen. I didn’t doubt myself and have to question myself like I do when seated in policy presentations or budget discussions. Having just spent five years in my current job it was remarkable how comfortable and happy I felt being surrounded by clinical discussion and thinking.

At lunch time I did something I haven’t done for more than five years. In 2003 I weighed about 100 kilograms. I was very heavy for my height. I decided I needed to lose weight rapidly so I could begin exercising again. I chose a high protein and low carbohydrate way of life. My lunches often consisted of meat, just meat alone. On Friday I lined up at the hospital canteen and asked for a small serving of pork belly. I used to do that every day. I’m the sort of person who enjoys repeating old habits. I like nostalgia. This made me happy.

A small serving of pork belly to relive old memories when I lost a lot of weight.

That evening after a very stimulating day I attended a reception at the NT’s Parliament House for the opening of a small photographic art exhibition to remember the ten years since the Bali bombings. As far as formal receptions go it was pretty good. The nice thing about Darwin is the recognition that the usual formalities can be modified. The appropriate attire for such an event in the presence of the NT Minister for Health is Territory Rig. That is long trousers, a long sleeve shirt and a neck tie. Very simple. Unfortunately the Governor of Bali could not be present. The exhibition was opened by Hon. David Tollner and Dr Wayan Sutarga the President Director of Sanglah Hospital. Dr Sutarga is a real character. He was in charge of the hospital for the first and second Bali bombings. He has done an enormous amount of work for the hospital and has worked with Australians like Dr Len Notaras, AM and Colin McDonald, QC to cement a strong bond between Darwin and Bali.

After the reception I had a hankering for some fish and chips. I wanted Barramundi.

Barra and chips

The Saturday clinical conference was held at the Darwin Conference Centre, it was a long day. We registered at 0745 ACST and didn’t finish until after 1800 ACST. It was a very good day. Many of my friends presented. Some relived the events of ten years ago and others looked at changes in their specialty areas. Given I had moved from the NT government to the Australian Government I presented the changes that had occurred in the Department of Health and Ageing and how we have evolved into a better prepared area for health protection matters.

I got in early and captured this image before all the seats filled up.

The afternoon’s public forum was inspiring. Julian Burton, OAM spoke about his experiences as a victim of the Bali bombings. Sally Sara, AM spoke about being an ABC journalist in war zones and gave her perspective on the importance of telling stories so that Australia as a nation can know what is happening in places where reporting is not encouraged and journalists are often in danger by the kinetic forces of war.

On Saturday night I was invited to dinner by Len Notaras to Char Restaurant at Admiralty House on the corner of Knuckey Street and The Esplanade. I’d eaten here once before for a work related lunch. The venue is delightful. The food is sublime. The lighting was good but the group I was with didn’t really allow for me to whip out my iPhone and capture food images. I admit, I haven’t really come out to this group of friends that I am an amateur food blogger.

At present I’m in Adelaide waiting for a flight to Canberra. I love visiting Darwin and catching up with friends. I love Darwin. If you’ve never been there you should visit and stay for a while.

A park in the waterfront precinct just before arriving at the convention centre.

Conference lunch

My lunch on the flight flying from Darwin to Adelaide.

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I am home :-)

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I am in Darwin. Darwin is where a good part of my spirit or soul or whatever lives. It’s a place I long for.

I’m here for a night for meetings earlier this afternoon and tomorrow morning.

Tonight I’m staying at SKYCITY hotel. I don’t normally stay here but it’s the only accommodation I could get. We have V8 Supercars here this weekend and there is no other accommodation. This is not a bad place. My only disappointment is that it doesn’t have Channel 10 reception so I missed the Jamie Oliver appearance on MasterChefAU tonight.

The good thing about this hotel is complimentary wireless internet and air conditioning that doesn’t work which means I stay happily warm and moist.

Outside the hotel are a couple of V8 Supercars. One is a Ford and the other is, well you know, the crapolden.

The only good thing about returning to Canberra tomorrow night is that I’ll get in just as the second State of Origin match starts.

SKYCITY Casino and a FORD V8 SUPERCAR (iPhone)

SKYCITY Casino and a FORD V8 SUPERCAR (iPhone)

SKYCITY Bathroom hand basin. This is a good way to store stuff (iPhone)

SKYCITY Beef burger (iPhone)

The beef burger was pretty good. It was a little too salty. I didn’t have the time to go to the wharf tonight like I usually do.

 

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My happy place

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Today I spent most of the day in work related meetings. I also spent some of the day out doors with work mates looking at things. That meant I was exposed to the best parts of Darwin. Warm but not hot. Moist, and by moist I mean soaking warm rain going in all directions including horizontal and wind gusts up to 100 kilometres per hour.

After work this afternoon I ambled up to Stokes Hill Wharf for dinner. Ever since learning I was coming to Darwin for these meetings I have been craving a solo walk to the wharf and sitting down to a plate of battered barramundi and chips. For those not familiar with the barramundi, it is a premier fighting fish which also happens to be a very fine eating fish. Firm white flaky flesh. It is only better when you catch it, kill it, fillet it and cook it in a pan with butter and some lemon. You can then throw the skins in the air for the eagles or into the water for the crocodiles.

On the Stokes Hill Wharf there is an eatery and an open seating area with tables and chairs. Tonight Darwin was in a post Tropical Cyclone waring phase and with a tropical low we had heavy rain and wind gusts up to 100 kilometres per hour. I didn’t want to get my iPhone wet so the images are fairly timid.

Tonight’s chips were so crispy and the barramundi so good. I was in a very happy place. My skin was warm and moist. My tongue, mouth and belly were happy. I’d had a great day and I was happy. I wish Bron had been here too.

I love the sound of heavy rain on a metal roof. Most houses in Darwin do not have roof gutters. There is no point. Listen to the power.

Normally you can see the land across the harbour. This isn’t even heavy. Later in the evening it got stronger in terms of wind and rain.

It looked ominous across the harbour.

An ominous looking scene across the water

Battered barramundi and chips

After finishing the fish and chips I sat around and tweeted and watched the weather. I knew I had to come back and do some work so I decided to walk briskly back to the hotel. It’s just under a one kilometre walk so I knew it wouldn’t be too bad. The wind was strong and the rain heavy. It. Was. So. Much. FUN.

Before I forget, did you see those chips? They were so crispy. They were the best. THE BEST!!!

When I got back to the hotel I knew I wanted dessert. I rang room service and asked for Coconut panna cotta with kaffir lime fruit salad.

Coconut panna cotta with kaffir lime fruit salad

And before I forget we had lunch at one of the best restaurants in Darwin. The Hanuman Thai.

Fish and lamb curries at The Hanuman Thai

All in all it’s been a happy day.

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